24 July 2016

‘In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,’
and he ‘is the head of every ruler and authority’

He ‘is the head of every ruler and authority’ … the image of Christ Pantocrator in the dome of the Church of Saint George in Panormos, east of Rethymnon in Crete, last Sunday (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2016)

Patrick Comerford

This morning is the Ninth Sunday after Trinity (24 July 2016), and after an absence of four weeks [26 June 2016], I am back in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, for the Cathedral Eucharist at 11 a.m.

The celebrant is the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Revd Dunne, who returned to Dublin recently after a six-month sabbatical programme in India. The preacher is the new Dean’s Vicar in the Cathedral, the Revd Abigal Sines. The Mass setting is Missa Dixit Maria by Hans Leo Hassler (ca 1564–1612), and is sung by the choir of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes.

This morning’s readings are: Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2: 6-19; Luke 11: 1-13.

In the Old Testament reading, Abraham tries to bargain and negotiate with God in an effort to try to save the city of Sodom from looming destruction. In the Gospel reading, we are taught the Lord’s Prayer once again. And reminded of how to put into practice when it comes to sharing our daily bread with our neighbour, day or night.

The New Testament reading brings back memories of my visit last Sunday to the coastal village of Panormos, east of Rethymnon, and the beautiful image of Christ the Pantocrator in the dome of the Church of Aghios Giorgios:

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority (Colossians 2: 9-10).

Collect:

Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
Open our hearts to the riches of his grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Post Communion Prayer:

Holy Father,
who gathered us here around the table of your Son
to share this meal with the whole household of God:
In that new world where you reveal the fullness of your peace,
gather people of every race and language
to share in the eternal banquet
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.